My conversation with Martin Irisarri made me think about the different kinds of knowledge you absorb during your career. His story might make you see your own expertise with fresh eyes and how you come across when you talk about it to customers. Martin Irisarri (pictured above with his wife and fellow director, Sarah) is… Read more

It’s not fair. However senior or successful you are, a version of that phrase has probably flitted through your mind at some point. How did you react to that feeling of being thwarted or overlooked? Perhaps it sapped your enthusiasm. Or, as Ishreen puts it, you might have had an “I’ll show them” moment and… Read more

This is how I made mine – and why I’m looking forward to chairing the Difficult decisions and how you make them discussion at the Brighton Summit. When I left the BBC, I had a romantic idea of being a ‘portfolio’ worker. Someone who would offer a range of services, based on my broadcasting background…. Read more

Create a visual library that tells your business story. (Not everyone else’s). I issued an intruder alert in my last blog post. I’m not scaremongering, but have a group of strangers gate-crashed your website and your social media? By strangers, I mean the people who crop up in stock business images. Presentable and well turned… Read more

(With apologies to James Carville, Clinton’s campaign strategist.) I remember when I first started my business, I’d put on my best ‘brochure’ face when I went to networking events. When asked how my fledgling enterprise was doing, I’d give a stock answer, “Fine, thank you”. Normally my questioner would respond in kind, “Me too”. This… Read more

People assume that they began their career when they got their first professional qualification and had a certificate to prove it. I’ve interviewed many entrepreneurs and company founders and I think their working lives start much earlier than that. Toddler? Teenager? Trainee? When did your expertise emerge? Pick a skill that you use in your… Read more

I chat to people for a living. On the surface, it might look like any other business conversation. But underneath, the cogs of my brain are whirring madly. I call it ‘multi-thinking’. It keeps me on my toes and it gives you new insights about the value of your company and your work: My multi-thinking… Read more

I’ve interviewed an eye watering range of business people over the years, in mainstream and niche sectors. The group that stands out is the one made of ‘Founder-MDs’ – the women and men who’ve forged their own businesses from ideas they’re committed to. They’ve had gut-wrenching moments along the way, sometimes when an idea hits… Read more

In his LinkedIn profile, Darren Fell (pictured left) describes himself as a ‘disruptor’. He likes doing new things. When he does, he sometimes shakes things up. So when he became disgruntled with the hit-and-miss performance of a couple of accountants he decided to do something about it. (And I don’t just mean switching.)… Read more

The values you bring to your work were shaped long ago. Well before you applied for your first job or set yourself up in business. And if you’re like the ‘amazing and driven’ person below, you’re probably taking your values for granted. Don’t! As Mebrak’s story shows, your values help you to stand out from… Read more